Bacterial Wilt
Ralstonia solanacearum, Erwinia tracheiphila
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameBacterial Wilt
DescriptionBacterial wilt causes healthy-looking plants to suddenly collapse and die. Learn the simple 'string test' to identify this aggressive pathogen in your garden.
TypeBacteria
FamilyBurkholderiaceae
GenusRalstonia
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumProteobacteria
ClassBetaproteobacteria
OrderBurkholderiales
Features
- One of the most destructive bacterial diseases globally. Two types are common: soil-borne Ralstonia (nightshades) and insect-vectored Erwinia (cucurbits)
- Characterized by sudden wilting of the whole plant or specific leaves while they are still green. Plants may seem to recover at night initially but die within days
- Bacteria multiply rapidly in the xylem, producing a thick 'exopolysaccharide' slime that physically plugs the plant's water transport system
- Conduct the 'string test': cut a wilted stem and pull the pieces apart slowly; if a milky white, sticky thread (slime) stretches between the pieces, it is bacterial wilt
- Ralstonia survives in soil and water for years. Erwinia survives in the guts of cucumber beetles and is injected into the plant when the beetles feed
- Bacteria are microscopic. The visible slime (bacterial ooze) is a mass of billions of individual bacterial cells
- Thrives in high temperatures (above 28°C) and high soil moisture. Spread rapidly by rain splash, runoff water, and contaminated garden tools
- Ralstonia attacks tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco, and bananas. Erwinia attacks cucumbers, melons, and squash but rarely watermelons
- Prevent by controlling cucumber beetles (for cucurbits) and ensuring excellent drainage. Use disease-free seeds and avoid moving soil from infected areas
- No cure exists once infected. Immediately uproot and destroy the entire plant and surrounding soil. Disinfect tools with 10% bleach after handling infected plants
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificRalstonia solanacearum, Erwinia tracheiphila
English (Alternate)Slime disease, Brown rot (in potato), Moko disease (in banana)
Hindiजीवाणु विल्ट (Jivanu wilt)
Tamilபாக்டீரியா வாடல் (Bacteria vadal)
Teluguబ్యాక్టీరియా వడలు తెగులు (Bacteria vadalu tegulu)
Malayalamബാക്ടീരിയൽ വാട്ടം (Bākṭīriyal vāṭṭaṁ)
Kannadaಬ್ಯಾಕ್ಟೀರಿಯಾ ಬಾಡು ರೋಗ (Byākṭīriyā bāḍu rōga)
Sanskritजीवाणु-म्लानि (Jīvāṇu-mlāni)
Bengaliব্যাকটেরিয়াল উইল্ট (Bakterial wilt)
Frenchflétrissement bactérien
Russianбактериальное увядание (bakterial'noe uvyadanie)
Spanishmarchitez bacteriana
GermanBakterienwelke
